Weather: 59°, sunny
Time: 23 minutes
About this hike: Nearly scratched a Piestewa record. Today I completed the trail in 23:06, so almost hit 22 minutes. If I only had sprinted on the staightaways... No, that would be unsafe and a violation of my personal rules.
Regardless, this was an enjoyable morning hike.
Showing posts with label record. Show all posts
Showing posts with label record. Show all posts
Friday, January 29, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Camelback Echo Canyon - New Record!
Weather: 59°, sunny
Time: 27 minutes
About this hike: I thought it couldn't be done. Twenty-eight minutes was to be my record up Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon. And then somehow I did in 27. Granted, this does factor in a handicap, but regardless, I was pushing hard and rarely even stopped to take a sip of Powerade.
I'm honestly not sure that 27 minutes can be beat though. Reason is, I refuse to run on any of the mountain trails. Runners pass me constantly, especially on the way down, and I hope for their safety every time I see one. I have witnessed many an injury on those mountain trails, and I believe it is in part due to people running and tripping over rocks. Of course not bringing water, hiking at 2:00pm on a July day, and venturing off trail are all culprits as well. Like the sign at the trailhead advises, "Don't be that hiker..."
So a very enjoyable hike today. As I was leaving the PHX PD chopper was circling above and park rangers were arriving at the trailhead parking lot. I overhead a ranger say a mountain rescue was in progress...
Time: 27 minutes
About this hike: I thought it couldn't be done. Twenty-eight minutes was to be my record up Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon. And then somehow I did in 27. Granted, this does factor in a handicap, but regardless, I was pushing hard and rarely even stopped to take a sip of Powerade.
I'm honestly not sure that 27 minutes can be beat though. Reason is, I refuse to run on any of the mountain trails. Runners pass me constantly, especially on the way down, and I hope for their safety every time I see one. I have witnessed many an injury on those mountain trails, and I believe it is in part due to people running and tripping over rocks. Of course not bringing water, hiking at 2:00pm on a July day, and venturing off trail are all culprits as well. Like the sign at the trailhead advises, "Don't be that hiker..."
So a very enjoyable hike today. As I was leaving the PHX PD chopper was circling above and park rangers were arriving at the trailhead parking lot. I overhead a ranger say a mountain rescue was in progress...
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Camelback Record Tied
Weather: 51°, sunny
Time: 28 minutes
About this hike: The crowds they were thin at Camelback Echo Canyon this morning. Spurred on by cool weather, I tied my previous record of 28 minutes. That said, I did allow myself a bit of a handicap... Generally I always stop my time just before the I reach the summit at both Piestewa and Camelback. This is to make up for slowdowns beyond my control (i.e. tourists, snow birds, selfie-takers—anything that blocks the trail). So I know, I know—I make my own rules. Regardless, I'm declaring this one a 28 minute time to the summit.
Otherwise, this was an uneventful hike, which is just the way I like them.
Time: 28 minutes
About this hike: The crowds they were thin at Camelback Echo Canyon this morning. Spurred on by cool weather, I tied my previous record of 28 minutes. That said, I did allow myself a bit of a handicap... Generally I always stop my time just before the I reach the summit at both Piestewa and Camelback. This is to make up for slowdowns beyond my control (i.e. tourists, snow birds, selfie-takers—anything that blocks the trail). So I know, I know—I make my own rules. Regardless, I'm declaring this one a 28 minute time to the summit.
Otherwise, this was an uneventful hike, which is just the way I like them.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Piestewa Record Tied!
Weather: 70°, overcast, occasional strong breeze
Time: 23 minutes
About this hike: I tied my old record! That in itself is an accomplishment as it has been a while since a sub-24 minute time at Piestewa.
While the trip up was great, the trip down not so much... I fell, or nearly fell, 3 times. Thankfully no injuries (except maybe my pride!), but disconcerting that I kept falling.
This week is forecasted to be rainy and cool. Hopefully the weather cooperates and I can squeeze a few more hikes in.
Time: 23 minutes
About this hike: I tied my old record! That in itself is an accomplishment as it has been a while since a sub-24 minute time at Piestewa.
While the trip up was great, the trip down not so much... I fell, or nearly fell, 3 times. Thankfully no injuries (except maybe my pride!), but disconcerting that I kept falling.
This week is forecasted to be rainy and cool. Hopefully the weather cooperates and I can squeeze a few more hikes in.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Thankful for Camelback
Weather: 63°, sunny
Time: 28 minutes
About this hike: Record tied! Love these cooler temps, and my time shows it! That is a slightly adjusted time wherein I stopped the clock a little before the summit. This is to make up for stoppages beyond my control such as children, people paralyzed with fear at the railings, selfie-stick hawking tourists, etc.
The mountain was crowded, but there were breaks without a ton of people. It was better than Piestewa was yesterday.
"Lot Full" was displayed when I arrived at the parking lot, and a cross-armed ranger was enforcing it. Not willing to circle around, I parked at my secret spot (which remains un-named) down the street. By the time I got to the trailhead (~10 min.) there were plenty of parking spots. Makes me question the validity of this little show of power.
Regardless, a good hike and I am thankful for this afternoon adventure to wrap up Thanksgiving weekend.
Time: 28 minutes
About this hike: Record tied! Love these cooler temps, and my time shows it! That is a slightly adjusted time wherein I stopped the clock a little before the summit. This is to make up for stoppages beyond my control such as children, people paralyzed with fear at the railings, selfie-stick hawking tourists, etc.
The mountain was crowded, but there were breaks without a ton of people. It was better than Piestewa was yesterday.
"Lot Full" was displayed when I arrived at the parking lot, and a cross-armed ranger was enforcing it. Not willing to circle around, I parked at my secret spot (which remains un-named) down the street. By the time I got to the trailhead (~10 min.) there were plenty of parking spots. Makes me question the validity of this little show of power.
Regardless, a good hike and I am thankful for this afternoon adventure to wrap up Thanksgiving weekend.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Another New Camelback Record!
Weather: 70°, sunny
Time to summit: 27:58
About this hike: New record by two seconds!! The crowd was typical, but not unreasonable by Saturday morning standards. Was a beautiful, uneventful hike and the best part is a new personal best to the top!!
Time to summit: 27:58
About this hike: New record by two seconds!! The crowd was typical, but not unreasonable by Saturday morning standards. Was a beautiful, uneventful hike and the best part is a new personal best to the top!!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Smashing Records Again!
Weather: 83°, bright sunshine
Time to summit: 27:53 *NEW RECORD*
About this hike: Beat the old record by 7 seconds. This was an impromptu Sunday afternoon hike. I hiked Camelback yesterday morning, but would rather forget that unfortunate event. So much so that I didn't even log it on my blog. So feeling deprived, I had to go up to Camelback and try again today. Glad I did. Parking was easy on this warm and sunny afternoon, and it was just what I needed to finish this weekend off right.
Time to summit: 27:53 *NEW RECORD*
About this hike: Beat the old record by 7 seconds. This was an impromptu Sunday afternoon hike. I hiked Camelback yesterday morning, but would rather forget that unfortunate event. So much so that I didn't even log it on my blog. So feeling deprived, I had to go up to Camelback and try again today. Glad I did. Parking was easy on this warm and sunny afternoon, and it was just what I needed to finish this weekend off right.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Camelback Record!!!
Weather: 73°, bright sunshine
Time to summit: 28:00 *NEW RECORD*
About this hike: The stop watch said 29:57 to be exact, but I stopped for a couple minutes because two girls handed me a phone and wanted pictures together. That plus a bottleneck = a 2 minute handicap in my book. Regardless, I am solidly under 30 minutes now, even with the Saturday crowd.
Parking was a disaster. When the city re-engineered the entrance with a traffic circle I don't think they considered what would happen: cars drive round and round the circle waiting for the "Lot Full" sign to come down. A cop was stationed at the circle yelling at people to get moving. And speaking of Lot Full, that stupid sign was up again today, but there were plenty of spaces. I ended up at my secret spot, and unlike last Sunday, the gates were open and I got in and out no problem.
There was a guy who dragged a for sale sign up to the summit. Not sure if City of PHX is selling Camelback Mountain, but if they are, I'd be interested in buying :-) .
All around great hike on a perfect March Saturday!
Time to summit: 28:00 *NEW RECORD*
About this hike: The stop watch said 29:57 to be exact, but I stopped for a couple minutes because two girls handed me a phone and wanted pictures together. That plus a bottleneck = a 2 minute handicap in my book. Regardless, I am solidly under 30 minutes now, even with the Saturday crowd.
Parking was a disaster. When the city re-engineered the entrance with a traffic circle I don't think they considered what would happen: cars drive round and round the circle waiting for the "Lot Full" sign to come down. A cop was stationed at the circle yelling at people to get moving. And speaking of Lot Full, that stupid sign was up again today, but there were plenty of spaces. I ended up at my secret spot, and unlike last Sunday, the gates were open and I got in and out no problem.
There was a guy who dragged a for sale sign up to the summit. Not sure if City of PHX is selling Camelback Mountain, but if they are, I'd be interested in buying :-) .
All around great hike on a perfect March Saturday!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Another Piestewa Peak Record!!
Weather: 67°, very cloudy
Time to summit: 23:16 *NEW RECORD*
About this hike: I planned on Echo Canyon today. The parking lot probably wasn't full, but the park rangers had the "Lot Full" barricade up anyway. They sat at their perch laughing at fools like me who were on the other side, desperate to get in. After several fruitless attempts at circling the area I tried my secret little parking spot up the road. The gate was closed.
Frustrated, I finally gave up and drove along Lincoln over to Squaw/Piestewa Peak. Squaw was not nearly as crowded and parking was easy. This has been an exceptionally bad weekend, and Saturday's downpour didn't make it any better. I think a lot of anger and frustration led to me setting a new record to the summit today.
Time to summit: 23:16 *NEW RECORD*
About this hike: I planned on Echo Canyon today. The parking lot probably wasn't full, but the park rangers had the "Lot Full" barricade up anyway. They sat at their perch laughing at fools like me who were on the other side, desperate to get in. After several fruitless attempts at circling the area I tried my secret little parking spot up the road. The gate was closed.
Frustrated, I finally gave up and drove along Lincoln over to Squaw/Piestewa Peak. Squaw was not nearly as crowded and parking was easy. This has been an exceptionally bad weekend, and Saturday's downpour didn't make it any better. I think a lot of anger and frustration led to me setting a new record to the summit today.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
New Camelback Record!
Weather: 71°, sunny
Time to summit: 29minutes
About this hike: I'll admit that the above time is with a 2 minute handicap to accommodate some slower hikers and a bottleneck on the railing. Still, I made virtually no stops and set a new personal best for reaching the summit. Was a little crowded today and I had to park off-site, but it honestly wasn't bad.
Notable, today a group of guys went off trail and climbed on a rock outcropping and belted out the national anthem to the cheers of hikers down below. SMH...some people just love attention.
Regardless, great hike today!
Time to summit: 29minutes
About this hike: I'll admit that the above time is with a 2 minute handicap to accommodate some slower hikers and a bottleneck on the railing. Still, I made virtually no stops and set a new personal best for reaching the summit. Was a little crowded today and I had to park off-site, but it honestly wasn't bad.
Notable, today a group of guys went off trail and climbed on a rock outcropping and belted out the national anthem to the cheers of hikers down below. SMH...some people just love attention.
Regardless, great hike today!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Shattering Records Again!!
Weather: 70°, sun/clouds, wind
Time to summit: 23 minutes, 44 seconds
About this hike: Another exciting new record! Took advantage of a half-day of work, plus some cooler temps to get another hike in. Otherwise the mountain was not too crowded and it made for a nice, uneventful afternoon.
Time to summit: 23 minutes, 44 seconds
About this hike: Another exciting new record! Took advantage of a half-day of work, plus some cooler temps to get another hike in. Otherwise the mountain was not too crowded and it made for a nice, uneventful afternoon.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
New Record is Official - Piestewa
Weather: 93° sun/clouds and humid
Time to summit: 26 minutes
About this hike: I know I said I made it in 26 minutes last week, but that was factoring in stops for slow hikers, etc. I ended up taking just over 27 minutes on the stopwatch. Today the stopwatch was officially less than 27 minutes. So new record is set!!
The summit wasn't as gross as last week...at least at first. I spent quite a few minutes up there. Then I got up and moved, and suddenly the flies descended upon me, and hence I descended the mountain. No mountain rescues this morning and no drama. Just a good hike.
Time to summit: 26 minutes
About this hike: I know I said I made it in 26 minutes last week, but that was factoring in stops for slow hikers, etc. I ended up taking just over 27 minutes on the stopwatch. Today the stopwatch was officially less than 27 minutes. So new record is set!!
The summit wasn't as gross as last week...at least at first. I spent quite a few minutes up there. Then I got up and moved, and suddenly the flies descended upon me, and hence I descended the mountain. No mountain rescues this morning and no drama. Just a good hike.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
New Record for Squaw Peak
Weather: 87° sun and humid
Time to summit: 26.5 minutes
About this hike: New record set!! Actually the stopwatch said 27:11, but there were a few slow hikers and I had to pause briefly a few times. I decided my adjusted time is sub-27 minutes and therefore a record. While cooler this morning than in the past, it was grossly humid. Rain must've fallen on the preserve last night, as evidenced by numerous large puddles on the trail. This led to swarms of flies and bees and made for an unpleasant stay at the summit, hence why I didn't rest long before heading back down.
Within 5 minutes of my arrival what seemed like the entire Phoenix FD arrived for one of those infamous mountain rescues. There was an older man near the summit who was covered in blood, but conscious and talking.
From bugs, to bloody rescues, to high humidity, this was a gross hike.
Time to summit: 26.5 minutes
About this hike: New record set!! Actually the stopwatch said 27:11, but there were a few slow hikers and I had to pause briefly a few times. I decided my adjusted time is sub-27 minutes and therefore a record. While cooler this morning than in the past, it was grossly humid. Rain must've fallen on the preserve last night, as evidenced by numerous large puddles on the trail. This led to swarms of flies and bees and made for an unpleasant stay at the summit, hence why I didn't rest long before heading back down.
Within 5 minutes of my arrival what seemed like the entire Phoenix FD arrived for one of those infamous mountain rescues. There was an older man near the summit who was covered in blood, but conscious and talking.
From bugs, to bloody rescues, to high humidity, this was a gross hike.
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